Weekend Musings!!!

Well with a free weekend ahead of me, I decided to go to Somerset House, I have been meaning to go for about a month. There were two exhibitions that were of interest to me, and I would recommend them highly to you as well. The first is a Matthew Williamson retrospective, and the second was an exhibiton on Rene Gruau/ Dior.

To begin with, I love Somerset House it is a beautiful and historic building. I love that in london all of the buildings are different. New business blocks nestle comfortably next to elegant old town houses. Somerset House does not disappoint, it is as beautiful inside as it is outside. With the decor very true to the time it was built. Having said that the exhibition rooms are very modern, and as you may or may not it is the new home of London Fashion Week (please someone give me an invite).

Entering the house, I had to bypass the ice rink which made me feel or Christmassy and nostalgic. Next time I am there I shall take a slide, just hopefully not on my bum. Anyway I digress. The Matthew Williamson retrospective was free to get into, and was a series of photographs taken from the beginning of his career right through to now. What I loved about the exhibition and I guess his clothing ranges is that they are so bright and colourful; full of life. There were also illustrations and extracts from his sketch books. I felt so inspired by the photographs showing Kate Moss, Helen Christensen, Jade Jagger and Naomi Campbell and this was just his Graduate Collection. I really which they had these photographs as prints as they will definitely brighten up my boring room and more than this I wishI had some money top buy a dress from his usually India inspired collections.

Moving along to the Rene Gruau exhibiton, which is £5 for students and £6.50 for the rest. I didn't really know much about Gruau before this exhibitions however I did have a calendar with his illustrations on it in previous years. The collection was based on Rene's work with Dior, he was a chief illustator for Dior cosmetics from the 60s through to the early 90s. He was influenced by popular culture and also referenced flowers lot. What I loved about the images was the hand painted quality, and the simplicity of the illustrations, the bold use of the colours was almost expressionist; I love the combination of the primary colours... my favourite image was a girl wrapped up in a bouquet of flowers. Simple yet effective!!!

For a day out Somerset House is exquisite and well worth a visit.

Harry Potter!!!

Well I did promise this next blog would be about Harry Potter, and I am happy to wax lyrically about the new film!!! Based on the final Harry Potter book the Deathly Hallows pt 1 had all the dark connations that you would expect. The trio appeared to have grown up alot between the last movie and this one.

Ron (Rupert Grint) especially had manned up with broad shoulders and a constant twelve o'clock shadow. I am always suprised that fashion doesn't play more of a role within the films as clothing can be just as magical as the film. Instead the costume designers opt for casualwear from GAP, functional maybe but not fantasy. The only glimpses of visionary fashion came in the form of Luna Lovegood (hippie) and Bellatrix Lestrange (gothic). However Hermoine did rock a great red dress at the prenuptials of the eldest Wesley to Fleur Delacour.

That's probably the most I can say about the film from a fashion perspective. The film was amazing as good as the previous installments and as a HP fan I feel I am qualified to say this. Although they tampered with the sequence of events the film was quite true to the book. I would recommend that every one goes and watches the film, I know I will be going back again...

Bailiffs are Scary!!!

Well I have to begin by announcing in a dramatic manner that I have had one of the worst weeks in memory. Granted my memory is not great (too many alcohol units in my youth) but I haven't remembered soo many sleepless nights since I first started working and anyway. What was the cause of this bad week you may ask; well it was a little red letter that I got through the post from the bailiffs no less. I am not a criminally minded person, and have not had any brushes with the law (excluding under age drinking, but everyone does that) however I seem to go straight from green to red, without even passing through misdemeanour amber.

Having opened the letter a cost of £700 was demanded plus the costs of the bailiffs coming to collect the money, which I am told can be astronomical adding to this is the fact that the crime was from non-payment of council tax between 2003/4 (so this would be 7 years worth of bailiffs costs). In case you are wondering I am innocent to the main degree and have pleaded my case to the council as I was a student during this time, apparently I will still have to pay for nine days worth of tax but I am waiting for a new bill to be sent.

As many of us young professions who live in London will I am sure exclaim, the thing they spend most of their money on is clothing. I am not a particularly panicky person however the more I read up on bailiffs the more scared I became, because I do not own anything of real value, I have my Marc by Marc Jacob bag, my Laptop and my I-phone and that's it. I had images of them taking the whole contents of my wardrobe which I admit is compiled of many, many items of clothes (yet I never have nothing to wear) and driving of in a van leaving me with nothing but my Primani pyjamas. On some base level this excited me with the idea of building a new wardrobe from scratch but it also filled me with fear. What would I do without my clothes?

I started to come up with a mental list of my must loved items which I would plead with them to let me keep. These items included:

- Pink and black polka dot 50s style dress by Sara Berman
- Black jeggings from Topshop (I live in these)
- Pale pink and black striped batwing Jumper - H&M
- Black and White Mohair jumper dress - Warehouse
- Black Jumpsuit - Urban outfitter
- Mustard shift dress - Topshop
- Umbrella Black shift dress - Topshop

These are my special 7 but I am sure I have missed bits out, I couldn't even contemplate thinking about my Shoes, they could take those over my dead body (again with the drama).

Any way I apologise to anyone expecting something interesting from this blog, unfortunately it is really just a rant about my love of clothes. However when you face losing them to the money grabbing Bailiffs, your whole fashion wardrobe flashes before your eyes!!! My next piece will be soon, and about the new Harry Potter film which I saw last night, this also included more drama...a quiet life would be nice.

I am off now to buy more clothes while I still can, and keep my fingers crossed that the council aren't going to send me another massive bill.

Harry Potter Premiere

I am gutted yet again to have missed a premiere of Harry Potter. This one was the Deathly Hallows part one. Being an avid fan I am almost to the point of obsession excited about the new movie and can not wait to see it. More exciting than the film would be the opportunity to meet the cast members. In particular the three main leads; Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson

At the premiere Emma Watson was definately the star in a black lace dress with feather skirt detail. This is gothic chic at its best. Also check out the shoes. Showing that gothic lace is not just for the kids JK Rowling also rocked the black lace look. Clemence was also seen sporting the look.

Moving on from the black lace look, other cast members like Bonnie Wright, Helena Bonham-carter and Katie Leung also did the gothic look in their own way through dark clothing or make up.



I am still not sure what I think about Emma's hair cut yet, everytime I look at it I like it a little bit more. I keep waiting to see a stampede of pixie cuts up and down the UK.

Either way I am super excited and cannot wait to get involved and watch the new Harry Potter movie.

One New Change

I have been enjoying a lovely week off work and decided to indulge in what I do best shopping. I heard aboutthe new shopping center that has opened up by St.Paul's Cathederal so that's where I head. The Shopping center is One New Direction. There is something about being in that part of town, you know London City proper that makes me sit up and listen. There is a stillness in the air coupled with a simmering tension...its hard to put your finger on it but it is definitely there.

While I was whiling the hours away shopping the busy workers who help to keep the company afloat our busy selling and trading. I like to think of them sitting in their offices all Mad Men and Mad Women, I do actually work in an office and so know this is not true, but nethertheless I assume it is different in London City.

Back to the shopping center, I would describe it as Westfield's but on a smaller scale and less commercial. I can image that this will be a great haunt for people like myself who like a quick fashion fix and lunch time, but people who like the slightly finer things in life. Don't get me wrong there is Topshop (who I love, love, love), H & M and Office but there's also Banana Republic, Allsaints, Guess and Karen Millen. I think they've probably got the mix well between the mid and high end of the highstreet, but where they really excel is the food. Nandos, Zizzi, Gordan Ramsay need I say more. For your quick lunch snack there is also M & S simply food and Eat.

The shopping is definately one for the women with the shop bias towards women's wear but for the men there is a great selection of food for every price point.

I think I would definitely go back for a visit, although only if I am in the area as the shop selection is somewhat limited, also the big low point is that the center is sort of outside if that makes sense, there is a roof but no side cover. When I went the cold weather had just hit so I was frozen by the time I had eyeballed everything. So maybe one for the summer months only.

My final though is, did Simon Cowell name is new boy band after the shopping center, hmmmmmm....

Godalming, a place in my heart

Godalming, a place in my heart by FashionLind featuring a hobo tote bag

I found this range of bags online and I it made me smile. Godalming was my stomping ground when I was younger and have many fond memories of the area and now Radley has brought out a bag in the villages name. Well done Radley.

Ode to Mulberry

Ode to Mulberry by FashionLind featuring a leather handbag

I love Mulberry bags and hope to own one soon...until then I have to dream. My favourite bag of course is the Alexa in Tan leather.

The perfect date outfit

The perfect date outfit by FashionLind featuring glass earrings

I have recently discovered Polyvore, and so decided to have a play. Please see before you the perfect date outfits...

Trousers are soo now!!!

Unfortunately you can't read the writing on my little moodboard. But basically I am loving this new trouser trend that is currently happening. I used to be strictly a skirt or dress girl because I found them more flattering and easier to fit, but now I am totally up for some trouser action.

Although there is a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes I am torn between skinny fit and flared. They are polar opposites but neither the less flattering in their own way.

I practically live in my black treggings, although I have quite alot of thigh to play with they are slimming, especially when worn with a baggy top. I don't currently own a pair of flared trousers although I used to rock the wide leg cordrouy look back in the day. I think what the flared trouser offers a tree trunk thighed girl like myself is a disguise. They skim carelessly over the leg and elongate all in a volumulous flick of fabric. I have my eye on the rusty red pair on the moodboard. The only down fall I think is the need to wear heels with the trousers. I can already feel my feet hurting!!!

Anyway next time Ricard Nicoll, p.s. I want to marry him!!!

K K K Karl

As I said in one of my earlier blogs I was going to check out Mr. Largerfield's SS11 offering and I am happy to say that I loved the collection. As usual it was whimsy and fantasy with a contemporary edge.

The collection was full of must have pieces that you could keep for years and would not appear out dated.

My favourite item was the peach pink ostrich feather dress. I could just image going to some amazing ball and being twist and turn by some handsome stranger.

Again the trouser suit featured in this collection so I think we can definitely expect to see these on the highstreet. However I hope they make the shorts abit longer because I do not have the thighs to pull of the ones in this image. I also want to see how many people will be donning the leather leg warmers. I can't decide whether I love them or hate them. I guess its Marmite.

Finally I do not think any designer can go wrong with Black and White together, its very fresh!!

Two thumbs up for Mr. Largerfield...I love you long time xxx

Co-branding...co-hesive

I am currently completing a part-time masters at the moment and have decided to do my dissertation on Co - branding. I know that my dissertation is going to take over my life, but I am seeing brand collaborations where ever I go. Whether its Jimmy Choo and Hunter, the boots are fab. Jimmy Cho and Ugg (£600 eek) Lee Jean and Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, and more recently the yearly offering by H&M. This year the retailer are partnering up with fashion genius Albert Elbaz! Check out the promo video. The products launch on the 23rd November, I know I will be first in line!!!